Having a personal relationship with God is totally dependent on your birth. That may seem like a strange statement on the surface, but it is true nonetheless. In fact, Jesus said, “…unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3b). To have a covenant relationship with God, you must be born again; that is, you must be made brand new by the powerful working of God through His Holy Spirit, which happens as you place your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

A covenant relationship with God is attained only through spiritual birth. It has been that way from the beginning. That truth is understood clearly in Genesis 21:8-21, where Ishmael, the son of an illegitimate fleshly relationship, is banished from Abraham’s home and inheritance. Isaac, the son who was promised to Abraham by God, was the son of legitimate spiritual birth, and so he maintained his position in the home as the rightful heir of all that belonged to Abraham, including the covenant promises from God.

There’s a lot to explain here, and that is the burden of the sermon below. This is a sermon from Genesis 21:8-21, and below you will find the video recording, text of Scripture, and a sermon outline to help you along as you watch. I hope this study tool helps you grow in your love for the Lord Jesus and in your obedience to Him.

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Sermon Title: “The Exclusivity of God’s Covenant Relationship”

Text: Genesis 21:8-21
“(8) And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. (9) But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, who she had borne to Abraham, laughing. (10) So she said Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” (11) And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. (12) But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. (13) And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” (14) So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
(15) When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. (16) Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. (17) And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. (18) Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” (19) Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. (20) And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. (21) He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”

Single Sentence Sermon Summary: Your birth will limit your participation in God’s covenant.

Sermon Structure: “The Exclusivity of God’s Covenant Relationship”
Genesis 21:8-21

-- vs.8-14—A Scene in the Home

-- vs.15-21—A Scene in the Wilderness

-- Conclusion—Two Restrictions on Your Participation in God’s Covenant Relationship
*Restriction #1: God’s covenant relationship is attained only by spiritual birth.
*Restriction #2: God’s covenant relationship excludes all who are not born of the right stock.